Pensioners own media is a an independent effort of Er.S.C.Maheshwari to provide as many Publication of Pensioners Associations as possible on one platform and the latest information concerning Sr Citizens & Pensioners.All Federations & Associations irrespective of their affiliation &ideologies are welcome to send their publications and write-ups in pdf format of maximum 10MB size.

Monday, 30 July 2018

Dear
Readers, we
appreciate the keen interest shown by you in our magazine and try our best to
ensure that your copies are properly addressed and dispatched on the nominated
date, i-e 28th of every month. In spite of our best efforts, there
might have been delay in receipt of the magazine in the month of June, due to
the strike by postal staff. Even though the strike was called off on the 10th
of June, the postal authorities were finding it very difficult to clear the back log. We are sure you would
have received the magazine, although belatedly. We regret the inconvenience
experienced by you for no fault of our Federation.

Dear
Readers and affiliated Associations, Thanks to your contributions, the
building fund has just crossed the Rs.2,15,000 mark. The estimated cost of
building is between Rs 25 lakhs and Rs.30 lakhs. Please come forward with
liberal donations. Every drop from you will finally become an ocean and make
our dream come true.Our Bank: Union Bank of India, Hemambika
Nagar Branch, Palakkad; A/c No. 478902010204839; IFSC code: UBIN0547891. We
thank all those who have contributed to the fund so far.

South
Eastern Railway Pensioners’ Association, Rourkhela has expressed their
support to our Federation by donating Rs.5000/ towards our building fund. SCORE, Mumbai has also donated Rs.5000
towards the building fund. We are extremely thankful for these organizations
for the expression of their solidarity with our Federation.

An open letter to Mr Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Finance Minister of India and
Dr.Jitendra Singh Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Affairs and also for
Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare.

National
Federation of Railway pensioners is a major Federation of Railway Pensioners’
Associations. We wish to bring to your kind attention, one of the major
problems faced by Railway Pensioners.

According
to the instruction issued by the Reserve bank of India, the pension paying bank
is responsible for deduction of Income Tax from pension amount in accordance
with the rates prescribed by the Income Tax authorities from time to time.
While deducting such tax from the pension amount, the paying bank will also
allow deductions on account of relief to the pensioner available under the
Income Tax Act. The paying branch, in April each year, will also issue to the
pensioner a certificate of tax deduction as per the prescribed form. If the
pensioner is not liable to pay Income Tax, he should furnish to the pension paying
branch, a declaration to that effect in the prescribed form. We would like to
point out that the Pension Paying Bank has not issued the certificate of tax
deduction to the Pensioners till the 20th of June 2018. The delay in
issue of certificate will result in last minute rush for filing Income Tax
returns. We request you to remind the Nationalised Banks that they are
disbursing Government money to pensioners and their salaries are earned from
the public money kept in their custody in the form of deposits and savings
accounts. The banks should not function as extra constitutional authorities and
ignore the instructions of the Government.

Pension
paying banks have been advised by the Government to issue pension slips to the
pensioners in prescribed form when the pension is paid for the first time and
thereafter whenever there is a change in quantum of pension due to revision in
basic pension or revision in Dearness Relief. Majority of the Banks do not
comply with these instructions in spite of repeated instructions by the Chief Pension
Accounting Officer.

The Central Government departments have to issue revised
Pension Payment Orders based on Option.3 or multiplication of 6th
CPC pension by 2.57, whichever is beneficial to the pensioner. Now we are in June 2018 and progress for revision of PPOs is not as expected
according to the member staff of Railway Board.Administration was not able to complete the task for issuing PPOs to the
pensioners so far. This federation would like to bring to your notice that even
after the Pension
Payment Orders
are issued the revised pension is not claimed and arrears are not paid in time.
On
enquiry with concerned Central Pension Processing Centres of the banks, the banks are casually informing the pensioners that they
have not received the PPOs from the FA&CAO of Railways duly countersigned.
On one hand, there
are cases of pensioners waiting for Payment of arrears even after six months of
issue of Pension payment Orders. On the other hand Pensioners are waiting for
revised pension payment order from Railways for the past 10 months.

Government had issued
orders that the Branch/Central Pension Processing Centre is the point of
referral for the pensioner. Pensioners can approach the nodal officer(s)
designated by the respective banks who would be holding regular meetings at
different locations in their jurisdiction on lines of Pension Adalat. They can
also contact the bank through toll free dedicated pension line of the respective
bank to seek information related to their queries/complaints. In case of
deficiency in service offered by the bank, pensioner can approach the concerned
Consumer Education and Protection Cell at respective Regional Office of RBI and
Banking Ombudsman under whose jurisdiction the bank branch, where the pensioner
holds the account, falls. Chief Pension Accounting Office had issued several
instructions that the revision process should not be delayed and Pensioners
should not be harassed and all help should be extended to them. These
instruction are only in paper.Banks do not care to comply with these
instructions.

All branches of all banks are bound u/s 203 to
issue certificate of tax deducted in Form No.16.a to the pensioners. The
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed that banks must issue certificates
for tax deduction at source (TDS) duly completed, for account holders, and
dispatch to their mailing addresses. This is not at all followed by most of the
Banks. Tax is deducted but credit is not reflected in Form.26.A in the Income
Tax department website. Time has come take deterrent action against officials
who avoid duties attached to them.

SCOVA is the forum to ventilate these grievances of
Pensioners before the MoS and Pension Ministry.Our Federation brings to your kind notice that major Federations are
ignored by the DoP& PW. Associations with poor representation are included
in the SCOVA in the name ofidentified
pension association. It is not known what are the criteria adopted by the Pension
Ministry to identify these Associations. Thus, the intention of formation of
SCOVA to redress the grievances of Pensioners is defeated. Our Federation requests
you to kindly look into the points brought out in this open letter and take
corrective action. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA; MINISTRY OF FINANCE,DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE;
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE,TRIKOOT-II BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI – 110066.

CPAO/IT
&Tech/Master data/14 (Vol-III)/2017-18/196dated15.02.2018

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Kindly
find enclosed the Minutes of the Meeting held on 31st January, 2018 at 3:00 PM
at Conference Hall of Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) with all Heads
of CPPCs/ Government Business Divisions to review the implementation of 7th CPC
pension revision under the Chairmanship of Controller of Accounts for
information and further necessary action.

Encl:- As above.S/d,(Subhash Chandra) (Controller of Accounts)

To,

1.
Heads of CPPCs & Heads of Govt. Business Divisions of all Authorised
Banks,

2.
General Managers of Government Business Divisions of all Authorised Banks,

Minutes of the Meeting held on 31st January, 2018 with Heads
of CPPCs/Government Business Divisions to review the implementation of 7th CPC
pension revision

A Meeting was held on 31st January, 2018 under the
chairmanship of Controller of Accounts with all the representatives of pension
disbursing banks to discuss the timely payment of revised pension and arrears
under 7th CPC and pension related issues. At the outset, Controller of Accounts
welcomed all the participants and emphasized on the need of timely payment of
revised pension and arrears in the accounts of the pensioners by the banks.
After that agenda items of the meeting were discussed in detail and following
decisions were taken.

1. Payment of revised pension under 7th CPC by banks: –Banks were requested to make the payment of revised pension
and arrears to the pensioners within one week from the receipt of revised
authority from the CPAO to avoid any financial hardship to pensioners. Almost
all the banks reported that as on 30.01.2018 in most of the pension authorities
received in the banks action has been taken and revised pension has been
credited to the bank accounts of the pensioners along with arrears. All the
banks were advised to process the revision authorities at least thrice in a
month so as to avoid pendency at bank level. Controller of Accounts advised the
banks that arrear payment should be made with the regular payment of pension or
earlier. Sr.TD (NIC) reiterated the requirement of acknowledgement confirming
the receipt of e-Revision Authorities from CPAO for reconciliation. -(Action:
Banks)

2. Reporting of payment of revised pension arrears to CPAO
by Banks: –All the banks
were advised to flag the payment of revised pension and arrears under 7th CPC
in through the e-Scrolls so that monitoring of payment of revised pension may
be ensured at CPAO.- (Action: Banks)

3. Master Data Reconciliation: –Reconciliation of pensioners Master Data of banks with that
of CPAO is a must for the payment of correct pension to the pensioners. Cases
of excess/less payment of pension occur due to errors in the banks’ database
which need to be rectified by way of regular reconciliation with CPAO. Status
of master data reconciliation was reviewed in the meeting and it was observed
that twelve banks have not submitted their master data since last 2 years to
CPAO for reconciliation. These banks were requested to submit the updated master
data within 15 days and other banks on quarterly basis to CPAO.- (Action:
Banks)

4. Issues related with e-Revision of pension and e-PPO for
fresh pension:-It was observed in the meeting that many banks had confusion
regarding e-Revision Authority and e-PPO (PPO Booklet).Their doubts were
cleared by the Controller of accounts and difference between the two was
clarified that presently online digitally signed e-Revision Authorities are
being sent to the banks in the revision cases, In fresh pension cases, PPO
booklets are sent manually in paper form to the banks. However, banks were
informed that development for sending the electronic PPO Booklet online to the
banks is underway is likely to he implemented from 1st April, 2018. To
facilitate the banks in making necessary changes in their pension processing
software, format of electronic PPO Booklet was shared by the CPAO with them and
the same is also available on CPAOs website for ready reference. Banks were
advised to download the same and make necessary provisions in their software to
implement the e-PPO in fresh pension cases. In case of any doubt, they were
requested to contact Sr. TI) (NIC), CPAO-(Action: NIC-CPAO/Banks)

5. Compliance of Internet Audit observations on 7th CPC
revisions:-Status of
pending internal Audit Paras was discussed in the meeting Sr. Accounts Officer,
Internal audit Wing informed that more than 1500 audit Paras arc pending for
settlement for want of compliance report from the banks. It was noticed that
Dena Bank and Central Bank of India have not yet submitted the compliance
reports to CPAO. Some banks reported that they have submitted their compliance
report on 24th or 25th January, 2018 by e-mail which needs to he confirmed by
Internal Audit Wing. None the less, these banks and others also were advised to
send the physical copies of compliance reports to CPAO at the earliest so that
pendency can be settled.

Cases of deducting the TDs at the fag end of the year which
have been cause of the financial hardship to the pensioners were also discussed
and all banks were advised to deduct the TDS from each payment. All banks
requested to take a considerable view of the recovery of excess/overpayment to
be made by banks from the pensioners.- (Action: Internal Audit/ Banks)

6. Timely commencement of family pension: –It is
observed that considerable numbers of pensioners’ grievances received in CPAO
pertain to late commencement of family pension after the death of the pensioners.
The report prepared by CPAO revealed that in many cases conversion of pension
to family pension took more than 6 months which is a serious matter of concern.
Taking into consideration the sensitiveness of the issue, all banks were
advised to start the family pension within one month from the receipt of the
death certificate from the family pensioner so that they will not face any
financial hardship. Banks were also advised to give the acknowledgement of
receipt of application/ death certificate received from the family pensioners
for start of family pension.

- (Action
: Banks)

7. Timely commencement of Additional Pension on attaining
the age of 80 years:-Based on the report provided by NIC, CPAO, it
was observed that only few pensioners were paid additional pensioners on time.
Therefore, all the banks were advised to improve their internal system and make
necessary flagging in their software to ensure timely commencement of
additional pensions.

- (Action: Banks)

8. Timely restoration of commuted portion of pension: –Commuted
value of pension should he restored after fifteen years from the date of its
payment automatically by the banks. But it was observed that banks had restored
commuted portion of pension only in few cases on time. For this also they were
advised to make necessary flagging of the dates of commutation restoration in
their software so that timely restoration may be ensured.-(Action: Banks)

9. Timely submission of life certificates: –Instances
have come to the notice of CPAO that even after submission of “Life
Certificate” on time in November by the pensioners, banks had stopped their
pension putting them under acute financial hardship. Accordingly, all CPPCs and
Business Divisions of banks were advised to issue necessary instructions to all
their paying branches to upload the ‘Life Certificates’ on their system
immediately on receipt of the same from the pensioners to enable the CPPCs to
continue the payment of pensions. Banks were also advised to put all the
systems in place well before the submission of next Life Certificate in coming
November for receiving the Digital Life Certificate from the pensioners either
through finger/thumb impression or Irish scan.-(Action: Banks)

10. Timely Submission of first time identification report
and Life Certificate in NPS Cases:-CPAO is responsible
for the disbursement of death/disability pension under NI’S- Additional Relief.
First time identification of the pensioners is being done the Bank branches
based on the KYC details available with the Banks where the pensioners/ family
pensioners have opened their pension accounts. CPAO starts the pension payment
based on the first time identification report received from Banks. Also these
banks branches are responsible for sending the life certificates of the
pensioners/family pensioners to CPAO for the continuation of pension to NPS-AR
pensioners, in the month of November as CPAO is the disbursing authority under
NPS-AR cases. However, it is noticed that in many cases, despite submission of
life certificates by the pensioners, bank branches have not forwarded the same
to CPAO. In the absence of life certificates, CPAO was forced to stop the
pension of such pensioners. Because of the delay in the receipt of the first
time identification report and life certificate, CPAO faces problems in
disbursing the pension payments. To avoid this, it was decided in the meeting
that in future CPAO will forward the details of these cases to the CPPCs/GBDs
also so that they can also pursue the matter with their branches for early
submission of first time identification report to CPAO. It was also agreed to
provide the list of cases pending as on date to the concerned CPPCs/GBDs for
necessary action. Accordingly, Banks were advised to ensure that these
reports/certificates are furnished to CPAO in time (not more than 31 days), so
that pensioners are not put under any financial hardship. It was decided that
pending list of life certificates will be sent by RBD section to GBDs/CPPCs of
all the pension disbursing banks so that they can co-ordinate with the hank
branches to resolve the issue.­

- (Action: RBD Section (CPAO)/ Banks)

11. Any other point with the permission of the
chair:-

i) Pendency of pensioners’ grievances for more than 3
months: – Grievance Cell, CPAO reported that there is a pendency of
more than three months in grievance resolution at the banks. Banks
representatives mentioned that they are disposing the grievances at their level;
however it is not being updated at Web Responsive Pensioners Service (WRPS) of
CPAO. Therefore, all the banks were advised to dispose-off all the grievances
pending with them within one month and update the same on the Web Responsive
Pensioners Service (WRPS) so that pensioners are informed accordingly.-
(Action: Banks)

ii) Providing of payment details of all the pensions: –As per the
CPPC guidelines, all the paying branches are responsible for providing pension
slip and details of all the payments made to the pensioners. Also, as per these
guidelines, all the CPPCs are required to create their website/web page with
facility to know the PPO status and registration of the pensioners’ grievances.
Banks were requested to follow the CPPC guidelines and provide the pension
slip, breakup of the pension and arrear payments and other information as
required to the pensioners.- (Action: Banks)

iii) TDS deduction by Banks: –It was
reported by some pensioners to CPAO that some banks are deducting the TDS at
the fag end of the year which causes Financial hardship to them. This issue was
discussed in the meeting and all the banks were advised to deduct the TDS
uniformly from the payment of pension instead of recovering it in last quarter
of the financial year.

- (Action: Banks)

iv) Some
banks had confusion on indication of date of effect of family pension mentioned
in e-Revision Authorities sent by CPAO under 7th CPC. They were made clear that
in case of any doubt they may refer to the original PPOs of the pensioners
lying with them.

Central
Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) is issuing Special Seal Authority (SSA) to
the Banks/CPPCs electronically through SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) as
per the objective of implementation of paperless movement of documents
under Digital
India.

A
printed copy of the digitally signed document is being sent to the pensioners
and respective Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOs) of different
Ministries/Departments for their information.

Many
references have been received in this office as to whether there is a need of a
physically signed copy (ink signed) of SSA for processing of the cases or any
other related matters. In this context, it is clarified that these digitally
signed copies of SSA are sufficient and there is no need for insisting on a
physically signed copy by any of the stakeholders.

Pensioners
can also download the copy of the Special Seal Authority (SSA) by registering
on the Pensioners Service of CPAO through our website www.cpao.nic.in(Brochure of Web
Responsive Pensioners Service is attached for ready reference)

This
issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pensions).

S/d, (Md.
Shahid Kamal Ansari) (Asstt. Controller of Accounts)

To,

1. Pr.
CCAs/CCAs/CAs/AGs/Administrators of UTs,
2. Heads of CPPCs of all Banks,
3. Heads of Government Business Divisions of all Banks (As per list).

The staff side (NFIR
and AIRF) had demanded for grant of 3rd financial upgradation in the Grade Pay
of Rs.6600/PB-3 to nursing personnel under MACPS on the basis of OM dated
09-09-2016 issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The matter was
examined in consultation with the Dept. of personnel and Training and it has
now been decided as under.

a) Those
Staff Nurse/Nursing Sister/Matron/Chief Matron who have been awarded 1st and
2nd financial upgradation under ACP Scheme in the hierarchy pay scale of
Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 upto 31-08-2008 may be granted a replacement
Grade Pay of Rs.4800/-PB-2 and Rs.5400/PB-3. Therefore, the 3rd financial
upgradation under MACP Scheme, if granted to these categories of officials, may
be revised to Rs.6600/PB-3 from Rs.5400 in PB-3.

b) Those
Staff Nurse/Nursing Sister/Chief Matron who have been granted 1st ACP in the
pre-revised pay scale of Rs.5500-9000 upto 31-08-2008 may be placed in the
replacement Grade Pay of Rs.4800/PB-2. They will be entitled for grant of 2nd
and 3rd financial upgradation under MACP Scheme in the Grade Pay of
Rs.5400/PB-2 and Rs.5400/PB-3 only.

c) All the
remaining Staff Nurse/Nursing Sister/Matron/Chief Matron who are to be granted
1st, 2nd and 3rd financial upgradation under MACP Scheme may be granted next
higher Grade Pay.

2. This
issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

Subject: Updation of Master data and submission of
changed information in Format-F for

E-
scrolls.

Attention
is invited to this Office OM No. CPAO/IT&Tech/Master data/2015-16/298
dated-25.05.2015 (copy enclosed) issued to all banks to update their master
data once in a year by 31st January in the revised format of master data
available at CPAO website www.cpao.nic.in at
the link “Banks –
Guidelines for Banks – Guidelines for Master data” followed by
the report on “change
of status of pension” in an electronic format-F along with
regular monthly paid scrolls.

In
spite of above instructions, Banks are not updating their master data regularly
and not giving the changed information in Format-F along with payment scrolls
(latest report of Master data Reconciliation bank wise is attached). This leads
to data mismatch between Banks and CPAO which leads to underpayment/overpayment
of pension and other financial / non-financial errors.

In
view of above and as per the decision taken by competent authority, Heads of
CPPCs/ GBDs of all Authorised banks are requested to update PDF Master Data of
pensioners “quarterly” instead
of “annually” for
review and better management of Master Data. They are also requested to furnish
the changed information in Format-F (version 2.8 also including Life
Certificate date) along with each and every payment / receipt scrolls in future
so that any subsequent change required in master data, may be incorporated by
CPAO itself.

To
facilitate the banks, the guidelines for electronic transmission of accounting
data under the CPPC system by authorised banks along with changed/ updated
Format-F have been provided on CPAO’ s website www.cpao.nic.in.This
issues with the approval of Chief Controller (Pensions).

The matter of
providing medical facilities to son of Railway employees/pensioners after being
unemployed has been under consideration of this Ministry due to various
representations received from different forums. Similar representations have
also been received on the issue of providing medical facilities to divorced or
widower son. Ministry of Railways has decided not to provide the medical
facilities; once a son gets employed/ married though he becomes unemployed or
divorced or becomes widower later on, as the case may be.

Para 601 (5) :
Ministry of Railways has decided not to provide the medical facilities, once a
son gets employed/married though he becomes unemployed or divorced or becomes
widower later on, as the case may be.(Authority: Board’s letter No.
2017/H-1/210/R.C.F. dated 18.06.2018)

GOVERNMENT
OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS,(RAILWAY
BOARD)

RBE No. 92/2018;No. E (NG)-II/2018/RR-1/11New Delhi, dated 20.06.2018

The
General Manager, All Zonal Railways/Production Units, Chairmen, RRBs/RRCsSub: Age relaxation to
the residents of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

Kindly refer to this
Ministry’s letter of even number dated 06.01.2016 (RBE No. 1/2016) stipulating
extension of the currency of relaxation of age limit of 5 years in favour of
the residents of State of Jammu & Kashmir for appointment to Central Civil
Services and posts, recruitment to which are made to UPSC/ SSC or otherwise by
the Central Government up to 31/12/2017.

2. Department
of Personnel & Training have issued a further notifications No.
15012/1/2014-Estt(D) dated 09.02.2018 and accordingly age relaxation of 5 years
in the upper age limit to all persons who had ordinarily been domiciled in the
State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from the 1st day of January,
1980 to the 31st day of December, 1989 for appointment to Central Civil
Services and posts, recruitment to which are made through UPSC or SSC or
otherwise by the Central Government, stands extended up to 31/12/2019.

3.
Accordingly, the same is also extended beyond 31.12.2017 to 31.12.2019 for
recruitment made by Railway Recruiting agencies.

Sub:Grant of Advance – Amendment to Rule 80 of
Compendium of Rules on Advances to

Government Servants.

The
undersigned is directed to say that in pursuance of a reference received from
the Department of Personnel & Training regarding the demand raised by the
Staff Side in the National Council (JCM), the existing provisions of Compendium
of Rules on Advances – Rule 80 – relating to Amount of Advances to the families
of Government Servants who die while in Service, are retained and amended, as
per attached annexure.

2. These
orders will take effect from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. The
cases where the advances have already been sanctioned need not be reopened.

3. In so
far as persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned,
these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India.

4. All the
Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the amendments to the notice of
all its attached and subordinate offices for their information.

Hindi
version of this Office Memorandum is enclosed.Sd/- (H. Atheli)
Director

Attention
is invited to this office OM No. CPAO/IT &Tech/Revision (7th CPC)/19.
Vol-III (B)/2017-18/133 dated-11.10.2017 wherein it was intimated that the
payment details based on e-scrolls received from banks w.r.t. the
pensioners/family pensioners viz Bank Name, Accounts No. and BSR Code is
provided in PAOs login on the portal eppoinicirt.
Step by step procedure was also attached therewith to facilitate the PAOs to
view the payment details of the pensioners/family pensioners.

But,
it has been observed that Pay and Accounts Offices are not using the facility
of e-scroll available with them while processing the revision of pension cases.
As a result large number of discrepancies/errors is being found in the
e-revision cases received in CPAO and are being returned to the concerned Pay
and Accounts Offices resulting in unnecessary delay in processing of pension
cases. Facility of e-scroll assists in correctness of Account Number, BSR
Codes, Status of credit of pension and date of credit of pension, etc. (Step by
step procedure to view the payment details is attached herewith for ready
reference).

In
view of the above, all the Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs/AGs/Administrators of UTs are
requested again to instruct their Pay and Accounts Offices under their
jurisdiction to use the facility of e-scroll before processing the cases of
e-revision for correctness in order to avoid return of e-revision cases.

Vide Board’s letter cited under reference, the subscription
rate to join RELHS was revised with effect from 23.02.2017. Thus, the current
rate of subscription to join RELHS for retiring railway employees is last
month’s basic pay drawn or the amount enumerated in the table below for
different pay levels (as per 7th CPC), whichever is lower:-

S.NO.

Level
In The Pay Matrix As Per 7th CPC

Subscription
Rate To Join RELHS (In Rupees)

1

Level : 1 to 5

30,000/-

2

Level : 6

54,000/-

3

Level : 7 to 11

78,000/-

4

Level : 12 and above

1,20,000/-

Various representations have been received for
implementation of the above letter w.e.f. 01.01.2016 (the date of
implementation of 7th CPC) in place of 23.02.2017.

After
careful consideration in the matter, it as now been decided that the revised
rate of subscription for joining RELHS would effective from 01.01.2016 in place
of 23.02.2017. The excess amount, if any, deducted from the railway employees /
family pensioners who retired / sanctioned pension from 01.01.2016 to
22.02.2017 (both dates are inclusive), may be refunded. It will be incumbent
upon the department/branch, which paid the settlement dues to the retired
employees/ family pensioner, between ‘01.01.2016 to 22.02.2017 (both dates are
inclusive), to credit the excess amount recovered, if any, in one go in the
bank account of the employee / family pensioner in which the settlement dues
was credited. The due amount shall be initiated by the bill preparing authority
for the retired employee and shall be passed by the Accounts Department after
due internal check. This would be done without any application from the
employee / family pensioner.

This
issues in consultation with Finance Directorate in the Ministry of Railways.

(R.S.Shukla)
Joint Director, Health; Railway Board

Government of India; Ministry of Finance,Department of Expenditure - E.II(A) Branch

North
Block, New Delhi; 20th June, 2018

F.N. 12(1)/2016-EII(A)Office Memorandum

Sub: Grant of Advance – Amendment to Rule 80 of
Compendium of Rules on Advances to

Government
Servants.

The
undersigned is directed to say that in pursuance of a reference received from
the Department of Personnel & Training regarding the demand raised by the
Staff Side in the National Council (JCM), the existing provisions of Compendium
of Rules on Advances – Rule 80 – relating to Amount of Advances to the families
of Government Servants who die while in Service, are retained and amended, as
per attached annexure.

2. These
orders will take effect from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. The
cases where the advances have already been sanctioned need not be reopened.

3. In so
far as persons serving in Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned,
these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India.

4. All the
Ministries/ Departments are requested to bring the amendments to the notice of
all its attached and subordinate offices for their information.

Hindi
version of this Office Memorandum is enclosed.Sd/-(H. Atheli)
Director

The issue of revision
of criteria for free/concessional diet for patients admitted in railway
hospitals has been engaging the attention of Ministry of Railways for some
time. In the meantime, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
vide their Office Memorandum no S.11011/11/2016-CGHS (P)/EHS dated 09.01.2017 have
revised the criteria for diet charges respect of CGHS medical beneficiaries.
The Basic pay ceiling for free diet in respect of CGHS beneficiaries
has been revised as under:

After careful
consideration in the matter, it has been decided that the criteria of diet
charge fixed by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for CGHS beneficiaries
be adopted mutatis-mutandis for Railway beneficiaries. Accordingly, the revised
criteria for diet charges in respect of Railway Medical beneficiaries would
henceforth be as under:

2.
With the increased thrust on financialinclusion
and customer protection and
consideringthe recentsurge in
customergrievancesrelatingto unauthorised transactionsresultingindebitstotheiraccounts/cards,thecriteriafordetermining the customerliability
in thesecircumstances havebeenreviewed.Therevised
directions in thisregard
are setoutbelow.

Strengthening
ofsystems
and procedures

3.
Broadly, the electronic banking transactions can be divided
into
two
categories:

(ii) Third
partybreach where the deficiencyliesneitherwith
the banknorwith the customer but lieselsewherein the system, and the customer
notifies the bank within threeworking days ofreceiving the communication from the bank regarding theunauthorised transaction.

(i)Incaseswherethelossisduetonegligencebyacustomer,suchas where he has shared the paymentcredentials,the
customerwill bearthe
entire lossuntil he reports the unauthorised transaction to
the bank.Any lossoccurringafterthereportingoftheunauthorisedtransactionshall be borne bythe bank.

Further,ifthedelayinreportingisbeyondsevenworkingdays,thecustomer liability
shall be determined as perthe bank’s
Boardapproved policy.Banks
shall provide the details oftheirpolicy
in regard to customers’ liability formulated in pursuanceofthese directionsatthe time of opening the accounts.Banksshall also
display theirapprovedpolicy in publicdomain
for widerdissemination.The existing
customers mustalso be individuallyinformed aboutthebank’spolicy.

8.Overallliabilityof thecustomer inthirdpartybreaches, asdetailedin paragraph6 (ii)and paragraph 7(ii)above,where thedeficiencyliesneitherwith
the banknor with the customerbutlieselsewhere
in the system,issummarised in the Table 2:

Table2SummaryofCustomer’sLiability

Time
taken to report the fraudulent
transaction from the date of receiving the
communication

Customer’s liability(Rs)

Within 3 working
days

Zero liability

Within 4 to7 working days

The transaction
value or the amount mentionedin Table 1,whicheverislower

Beyond 7working days

Asperbank’sBoard approved policy

The numberofworking days mentioned inTable
2 shall be counted as perthe
working schedule ofthe home branch ofthecustomerexcluding the date of
receiving the communication.

(i)acomplaintisresolvedandliabilityofthecustomer,ifany,established within such time, asmay
bespecified in the bank’s Board approved
policy, but not exceeding 90 days fromthe date of receipt of the complaint, andthecustomer
is compensated as per provisions of paragraphs6 to 9above;

(ii)whereitisunabletoresolvethecomplaintordeterminethecustomer
liability,if any,within90days,thecompensationasprescribed in paragraphs6 to 9ispaid to the customer;and

copyingofthecard,thebankshalltakeallaction open to itto stop any furtheruseofthe
card.

5

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NOT FILED YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN?

The
d-date for filing your income tax return for taxpayers is around the corner –
31 July. Many believe that if they have disbursed their taxes, there is nothing
to worry about. However, missing the income tax return deadline has some legal
consequence. Let us explore what to do if you have not filed your income tax
returns.

1. What
to do if you have not filed your income tax return?-Many people fail to file their income tax return within the due date as prescribed by the income tax
department. But even if you have missed the deadline for filing return, you can
still file your income tax return. There is a provision in income tax for late
filing of income tax return which is called belated return.

2. What
is a belated return?-Filing Income tax return after the due date is called filing
a belated return. According to the provisions of law, as it stands today,
a belated return can be filed anytime before the end of the relevant
Assessment Year (AY).

Here
is a simple example to understand this better.

A
salaried individual has to ideally file his return of income for the AY 2018-19
i.e. Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 on or before 31 July 2018. If he fails to do
so, he can file a belated return on or before 31 March 2019. However,
this rule applies only to the AY 2017-18 (introduced in Budget 2016). With
respect to returns pertaining to AYs prior to AY 2017-18 i.e. AYs 2016-17 and
earlier years, a taxpayer could file a belated return any time before
completion of 1 year from the end of the relevant AY. Therefore, the
amendment has effectively reduced the time period by 1 year

·FY: Is the year in
which the income is received

·AY: Is the year in
which the income is assessable to income tax i.e. the year immediately
following the FY.

3.
Deposited Cash but not Filed Tax returns-A simple one-page return hinas been
prescribed for those with income under Rs 5 lakhs. Since the option is
available under the come tax laws to file a belated return, please do avail
yourself of it in case you do not file your return before the original due
date.

Not filing a return of income within the original due date
would no doubt entail payment of a fee under Section 234F up to Rs 10,000 even
if you file a belated return. But not filing even a belated return, could
result in receiving an income tax notice.

Also, for those of you who have a refund to be received from
the income tax department, please note that filing a return is the only way you
can claim the refund from the department. So if you have not filed an original
return, please file a belated return to get your refunds.

4. How to File Belated Return?-When you are filing
the belated return, the procedure is same as if you file the return on or
before the due date. You need to select ITR form applicable to you and fill the
form in the same manner as if you are filing the return on time and choose the
assessment year for which you are filing the belated return for eg if you are
filing the return for F.Y 2017-18 select 2018-19 as assessment year

5. Consequences of Late filing of
Return-It is always advisable that return
should be filed on or before the due date. Taxes due should be paid on time,
otherwise it will have the following consequences:

Interest and Later Filing Fees-Till FY 2016-17, if there are any unpaid taxes, interest @
1% per month or part thereof will be charged till the date of payment of taxes.
Also, a penalty of Rs 5,000 may be charged. The penalty is not levied in all
cases and depends upon the circumstances of the case. For returns filed from FY
2017-18 and onwards, a late filing fees of Rs 5,000 will be charged for returns
filed after due date but before 31st December. If returns are filed after 31st
December, late filing fees of of Rs 10,000 shall apply. However, the fees will
be limited to Rs 1,000 for those with an income up to Rs 5 Lakhs.

Unable to set off Losses-Losses incurred (other than house property loss) are not
allowed to be carried forward to subsequent years to be set off against the
future gains, where return has not been filed within the due date.

6. Conclusion- One must pay taxes and file the return on or before the
due date. And in case one is unable to file the return, at least taxes if any
should be paid within due date. If all taxes are paid, interest will not be
levied. However, other drawbacks such as non-carry forward of losses etc. will
be applicable.

GOVERNMENTOF INDIA; MINISTRY OF RAIL WAYS,RAILWAY BOARD

No.
2018/Trans.Cell/lHealth/Medical CardsNew Delhi,
dated:08.06.2018

The
GMs, All Indian Railways/PUs, NF(Con), CORE The DG/RDSO/Lucknow, DG/NAIR/

Identity
Cards issued to employees and other beneficiarieson Indian Railways, Board (MS,

FC
& CRB) have approved the following.

1.The Medical Identity Card should be a plastic
based card, the size of which should be same as that of the debit/ credit cards
issued by banks.

2.
A strip at the top of the card should have different color for serving and
retired employees and their dependents as per extant instructions on color of
Medical Identity Cards.

3.
A separate Medical Identity Card, with unique all India number, should be
issued to the employeeas well as each
dependent. The card of the dependentmay also bear the Medical Card number of the primary serving/retired
employee. The numbering scheme is to be decided by EstablishmentDirectorate.

4.Thelevel of entitlement of employee, which indicates the level of
facilities to be provided to the beneficiaries, should be indicated on the
card.The pattern being used by CGHS may
be adopted with suitable modifications, if required.Health directorate may decide the same.

5.The Medical Identity Card for beneficiaries upto
the age of 15years should be made valid for 5 years, after which these should
be renewed.For beneficiaries above the
age of 15 years, the Medical Identity Card should be renewed on attaining the
age of 40 years and at the time of retirement. The Medical Identity Card should
also be reissued on change of level of entitlement.

6.Only bare minimuminformationof the beneficiary may be visible on the card. The following data may be
printed on the card:

a.The name of the Railway; b.Medical Card Number

c.Name & Medical Card Number of the
Primary holder in case of card of dependent

d.Name of the card holder;e.Year of Birth

f.Date of validity of the card; g.Level of entitlement of medical facilities;

h.Health Unit; i.Blood Group;J.Photograph;

k.Signature/ LTl of the beneficiary; I.
Signature/Designation of issuing authority;

m.Electronic card reading may be incorporated
where such systems are implemented.

This
issues with the concurrence of Associate Finance of Transformation Cell of
RailwayBoard.

Sd/ Rajesh Gupta;ExecutiveDirector,
Transformation Cell

No,
2018/Trans.Cell/ Health/Medical CardsNew Delhi, dated:08.06,2018

I.PFAs, All Indian Railways &Production
Units

2. The
ADAI (Railways), New Delhi

3. The
Director of Audit, All Indian Railways

(SanjeebKumar) Executive Director Accounts TransformationCell

The General body meeting of WREU Railway Pensioner’s Wing,
Anand was conducted on 1.7.2018 at WREU office Anand with Shri.
KandaswamyGavrishankerEx.SSE/DSL/MGS, President on chair. After prayer, two
minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect for the departedmembers since last meeting held in 2017.
More than two hundred members attended the meeting. Welcoming the audience,
Sri. Santosh Pawar, Divisional Secretary WREU /BRC explained in detail the
problems of delay in getting the new PPOs, non-payment of FMA for pensioners,
fixation of pension for running staff, income tax levels for senior citizens.
Com. Vijaya Sangar, Chairman WREU/BRC inaugurated the function. Shri
R.D.Pillai, convenor of WREU pensioner’s wing, Anandexplained the steps taken by the pension wing to
get arrears due for pensioners. He also narrated the health related issues of
the railway pensioners of Anand and the problem faced by the serving &
retired employees to get admitted in the nominated hospitals of ANAND. Also the
railway doctors are not transferring serious cases to multi-specialty hospitals
and urged the members to continue struggle to get their legitimate rights
fulfilled. Senior members aged 75 and above were felicitated.

Railway Pensioners’ Association, Rampurhat conducted their 6th Annual General Body Meeting
on 6th June 2018. 80members attended the meeting. Representatives
from State Government Pensioners Assns, CGPA and BANK pensioners
association addressed the Meeting. It was decide to urge the Government not to
collect income tax on pension. The secretary’s report and accounts were
presented and passed unanimously by the house. The Secretary of the
organisation will represent the forth coming meeting of the NFRP at Palakkad.

Genl Secretary
Sri. K. Srinivasan, spoke of the progress of pending grievances Sri. S.
Suryanarayanan, Advisor, spoke about the
policy developments taking place at RB and about availing FMA by Railway
Pensioners. Sri. K. Swaminathan, Advisor, spoke of the needs in upkeep of
medical-care and other problems faced by Railway-Retirees. Sri. R.
Sethumadhavan, Vice President/NFRP spoke of his struggles to get his pension
revised. Treasurer Sri. M. Padmanabhan presented the accounts for FY 2017-2018.
Some of the senior-most members of ‘RPS’ were presented with ‘WALL-CLOCKS’,
sponsored by Sri. R. Jayaraman, Working President. AGS Sri. M. Fathima Doss
spoke of the steps taken for getting 7th CPC Revised PPOs / Arrears
as early as possible. Vote of Thanks was proposed by Sri. S. Ramalingam Asst.
Secretary. Meeting concluded with singing of National Anthem.

Railway
Pensioners’ Association, Kollam had submitted a memorandum to
Director General, Health, Railway Board, during his visit to Trivandrum last
month. The Director General was appraised of the undue delay in reimbursement
of medical bills, elevation of Railway Hospital, Kollam to the status of
Sub-Divisional Hospital, provision of seating arrangements for patients coming
to the Railway Hospital, introduction of token system to the patients waiting
in the OPD etc. It is understood prompt action has been taken by the Director
General, Chief Medical Director, Southern Railway, Chief Medical
Superintendent, Trivandrum and the Divisional Railway Manager, Trivandrum.NFRP is extremely thankful to the Officers
for their prompt efforts to resolve the grievances of pensioners.

S.No

Sub No

Name and station

S.No

Sub No

Name and station

1

A0836

P.Bhaskarannair,
PGT

16

A4009

K.Radhakrishnan,PGT,KKG

2

A0851

A.Ramanathan,PGT

17

A4154

Adv.S.Salaluddin,ERN

3

A0866

N.Keasavannambissan,PNBV

18

A4158

Syed
Aslam,BNC

4

A3226

P.C.John,PANDLM

19

A4159

C.P.Janardanan,CEN

5

A3287

P.Sethumadhavan,CEN

20

A4300

P.Prabhakaran,PGT.rpf

6

A3289

K.Pandaiha,CEN

21

A4303

K.Balashanmughanathan,V.Nagar

7

A3302

N.Adikesavalu,PTJ

22

A4304

P.Chandrasekharan,MLPRM

8

A3377

K.K.Kuryan,KTYM

23

A4307

S.James,
CEN

9

A3540

P.Gopalan,CAN

24

A4312

K.K.Rajan,TCR

10

A3583

A.K.Kesavan,PGT

25

A4437

S.Anandan,PTJ

11

A3587

K.Madhusoodanan,AAM

26

A4438

V.C.Sasidharan,KOLLM

12

A3589

S.R.Kurumi,GUJ

27

A4439

L.Behra,ORISA

13

A3591

P.Subaramaiha,CDPA

28

A4440

T.K.V.Chari,TIR

14

A3717

T.Philomindas,
GY

29

A4441

R.Mani,SA

15

A3782

S.Kuppuswamy,UKL

30

A4460

M.P.Sreedharan,CAN

1

11.6.2018

S.E.R.P.A/Rourkhela

AM.362

Rs. 5000

2

11.6.2018

SCORE,
Mumbai

AM.307

Rs. 5000

3

12.6.2018

Nandakumar
Ahuja

L.116

Rs.500

4

20.6.2018

P.C.Aravindakshan,
Maq

A.2382

Rs.500

5

04.7.2018

N.Kamatchi,
Chennai

A.3673

Rs.150

6

04.7.2018

C.J.Coelho,
Podanur

A.2323

Rs.500

7

04.7.2018

C.Ramadas,
Palakkad

LM.005

Rs.500

8

07.7.2018

R.K.Rajagopal,
Chennai

L.427

Rs.500

9

07.7.2018

RPA,SRMU,
Kollam

AM.429

Rs.2000

10

11.7.2018

V.C.Achaari/
Tuni

AM.3030

Rs.650

Annual General Body Meeting of NFRP will be conducted at Gayathri
Kalyana Mandapam, Olavakkode, near Palghat Junction on 21st
September 2018. You are cordially invited to participate. Delegate fee of Rs.300 per delegate/participant has to be
remitted before registering for the meeting. Accommodation will be provided at
Rs.250 per bed per day on advance intimation. Please participate and make the
Meeting a grand success.

AGENDA-OPEN SESSION
9.30 ONWARDS

1.Prayer

2.Welcome
address

3.Inauguration
by lighting the lamp

4.Presidential
address

5.Felicitation
by Sri. Pratap Singh Shami, DRM/PGT

6.Address
by Sri. Suryanarayanan, Rtd. Addl. Member, Railway Board and National working

3) Speeches by delegates, discussion on the report and
passing of report and accounts

4) Passing of Resolutions

5) Vote of thanks

6) National Anthem

The Railways has relaxed the
existing Railway Servants Pass Rules to allow its employees to travel with
their children suffering from serious ailments if they are referred to
outstation hospitals for treatment, an official release has said.

Earlier, as per the provisions contained in the Pass Rules, one
attendant may be allowed on the recommendation of a medical officer if the
patient is bedridden and is unable to sit. Such passes, where an attendant has
been allowed, should be restricted to the patient and the attendants only.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal
took cognizance of the fact that a child feels secure in the presence of a
parent, especially when he or she is unwell and that an attendant would also be
required to assist, has given his approval to amend the Provisions contained in
Schedule VII (Special Passes) of Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986.